Impossible to buy S/S in UK - any other countries?

[rolexdream]

hi

so i have spent ages trying to call around AD's for a Sub Non date in the UK with no luck, some saying the wait is 2 yrs +. I would be happy to travel to other countries to get one as a vacation, is there anywhere you can walk in a buy one off the shelf? Eg DUBAI? Where i will be passing through in March..

Also i had my heart set on a Sub (ND or date cant decide) and only looking for this, but would a GMT II Black be easier to get? Also i have a small wrist. I recently got the BB58.

I also love the Dj41 Fluted Rodhium in Oyster but think i should go for a sub first..

thanks

[brucethemanlee]

SS are available in most countries and most of larger ADs and Boutiques. However any sought after SS pieces are "reserved" for locals and provided to long term and long time clients who are also local.

This is becoming the norm for Rolex SS however there are exceptions and you might find some AD willing to sell you what you're looking for


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[rolexdream]

Thanks any ideas of these countries..Dubai for example?

Being in the UK would prefer europe/middle east only.

[Andygmt2]

There are some ADs in the UK which have waitlists for the SubC maybe couple months, if your based in London then yes you could be talking 2+ years given the population. If you look at smaller towns, perhaps up north / midlands, you may have a better chance. I managed to buy my SubC date from Plymouth, walk in on the day. :) Good Luck. ��

[harvey]

You can't just call some random AD and expect to be sold a Submariner. Those days are long gone. You have to visit the AD if you want a fighting chance of getting one. Good luck!

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by harvey

You can't just call some random AD and expect to be sold a Submariner. Those days are long gone. You have to visit the AD if you want a fighting chance of getting one. Good luck!

Agree

[Ar_Mi]

I live between Dubai & LA, and I can personally tell you that the sports model scarcity is just the same in Dubai, though if your lucky there will be a waitlist of just a couple months for the no date.. if your lucky. I know London has some of the longest waitlists of all the AD's I've been to around the world.

[mattskybeat]

They are available in the UK, I got one a few weeks ago after a 6 day wait. Target the smaller dealers that are not part of a chain, spend some time with them talking watches and as a final question ask about the sub. They are out there, you just have to coax them out of the safe.

Happy hunting!

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

hi

so i have spent ages trying to call around AD's for a Sub Non date in the UK with no luck, some saying the wait is 2 yrs +. I would be happy to travel to other countries to get one as a vacation, is there anywhere you can walk in a buy one off the shelf? Eg DUBAI? Where i will be passing through in March..

Also i had my heart set on a Sub (ND or date cant decide) and only looking for this, but would a GMT II Black be easier to get? Also i have a small wrist. I recently got the BB58.

I also love the Dj41 Fluted Rodhium in Oyster but think i should go for a sub first..

thanks

they can be found but hardly ever with calling as they automatically say no. History helps a lot, but if you go to an AD in person and actually talk to them it goes a long way. Avoid the chains.

[rolexdream]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

they can be found but hardly ever with calling as they automatically say no. History helps a lot, but if you go to an AD in person and actually talk to them it goes a long way. Avoid the chains.

Thanks, i have visited in person a number of ad’s in and around london eg croydon/berkhire/ipswich but no luck. I have no large purchase history with ad’s, but the ones i have bought my tudor and speedy from werent much helpful

Interesting to hear about Italy..could be an option..

Am going up north next week for xmas so will try visiting a few more then.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

Thanks, i have visited in person a number of ad’s in and around london eg croydon/berkhire/ipswich but no luck. I have no large purchase history with ad’s, but the ones i have bought my tudor and speedy from werent much helpful



Interesting to hear about Italy..could be an option..



Am going up north next week for xmas so will try visiting a few more then.

You need more than speedy and Tudor over time.

Perhaps a speedy, Tudor, and $50k in other watches during the same year will get you somewhere


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[Wristwatcherboy]

Having had no luck at the big chains in London (watches of Switzerland were especially rude) where I got very bad service for daring to enquire about a sports Rolex. Just got an SD43 from a small AD after a 4 month wait. Avoid the large chains at all costs.

[Toivonen]

It’s often in the windows here in Italy

[rolexdream]

Originally Posted by Toivonen

It’s often in the windows here in Italy

In which city, Milan?

[ytsethunder]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

In which city, Milan?

I saw some relatively hot watches (114060, S/S Tudor GMT, 58 - I too am from UK) in the two ADs (same group) in Naples earlier this year. Given how weak sterling is, they’re quite steep in comparison to UK prices, though.


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[Soultime]

I think there have been a few success stories from Italy on here in the past year or so.

Coming up north for Christmas. Not too dis-simaler to London up here from personal experience..... Manchester / Cheshire.

[Vince KSA]

Both the watches that you mention are always available in Saudi Arabia at all boutiques.

Getting in the country might be a problem though.

If you know somebody who works there, or even know somebody that knows somebody then you are quids in.

Below was a few weeks ago.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by Vince KSA

Both the watches that you mention are always available in Saudi Arabia at all boutiques.

Getting in the country might be a problem though.

If you know somebody who works there, or even know somebody that knows somebody then you are quids in.

Below was a few weeks ago.


Attachment 1005756

out of curiosity do they even sell gold watches there? Maybe they get more SS if they cant sell gold? I cant imagine a YG DD 40 is a big seller when everyone there cant wear it. Seriously asking as im curious. Womens watches its probably fine.

[Vince KSA]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

out of curiosity do they even sell gold watches there? Maybe they get more SS if they cant sell gold? I cant imagine a YG DD 40 is a big seller when everyone there cant wear it. Seriously asking as im curious. Womens watches its probably fine.

The reason that there is a glut of SS watches is that less the SS Daytona and BLRO there is little demand for sports watches over here a lot of people (the arabs at least) prefer PM watches. I got a Daytona 116500LN in 11 months and have been told a similar wait for the BLRO. Watches such as all Subs, DeepSea Blue I regular see sat int the AD on display looking for a home.

Below are the preferred of the average wealthy Saudi, not withstanding I would gauge that PM & TT DJs are their best seller.










Below is a sight I doubt you will see often in the UK.

[brettpaul]

Originally Posted by rolexdream

hi

so i have spent ages trying to call around AD's for a Sub Non date in the UK with no luck, some saying the wait is 2 yrs +. I would be happy to travel to other countries to get one as a vacation, is there anywhere you can walk in a buy one off the shelf? Eg DUBAI? Where i will be passing through in March..

Also i had my heart set on a Sub (ND or date cant decide) and only looking for this, but would a GMT II Black be easier to get? Also i have a small wrist. I recently got the BB58.

I also love the Dj41 Fluted Rodhium in Oyster but think i should go for a sub first..

thanks

Originally Posted by Vince KSA

The reason that there is a glut of SS watches is that less the SS Daytona and BLRO there is little demand for sports watches over here a lot of people (the arabs at least) prefer PM watches. I got a Daytona 116500LN in 11 months and have been told a similar wait for the BLRO. Watches such as all Subs, DeepSea Blue I regular see sat int the AD on display looking for a home.

Below are the preferred of the average wealthy Saudi, not withstanding I would gauge that PM & TT DJs are their best seller.

Attachment 1005768


Attachment 1005770


Attachment 1005771


Below is a sight I doubt you will see often in the UK.


Attachment 1005772


Attachment 1005773

Hi mate - I work in Riyadh - which AD did you go to with all the SS sports models - Olaya?

[apkane7]

I was in Dubai in September, doing the usual rounds for a GMT/Skydweller or 5164/5711A to no avail. One night my fiancé and I had dinner at the Burj Al Arab (give it a miss - nothing special), but there is a Seddiqi and Son there.

I asked about the GMT, and was told, "No, but we have this ..." and the guy pulled out a no date sub.

I didn't take it as I wasn't looking for one, but it did give me optimism that some AD's do have them and ready to sell to walk-ins.

[exador]

OP, why the desire for a ND Sub when you own a BB Fifty-Eight?

[Merkaholic]

DJ can be sourced in London........generally outside of central london and the business district. The sports models are definitely a rarity. Its a luck by chance scenario unless you have previous history. I recently made a purchase of nearly 10k at a AD and offered to make a further purchase of approx 30k plus the cost of a pepsi or skydweller. They would not even put me on the supposed wait list. Another AD said if i spent 30k they would get me a pepsi in 6 months.......i said i will only spend 30k if you have the pepsi here and now (obviously not litteraly here and now but when the next one turned up). There is no gurantee that i spend 30k and i get a call within 6 months.

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[lenfried29]

IMO, the current Rolex SS sport models situation(scarcity) are here to stay, the prices will continue to rise, unless huge economic downfall.

[Seibei]

Buying an SS Rolex takes thought, research, time and effort. Simply calling dealers will not cut it, not even close. There are plans that may bring results.

Plan A:

1. Map out the greatest concentration of dealers in your country.
2. Visit them, become friendly with staff, you may wish to bring small gifts such as wine or chocolates.
3. Find out when they normally receive shipments from Rolex.
4. Find a car that has good fuel economy and can reliably transport you.
5. Plot the most economic route that will take you to all the dealers in your general vicinity. Plan to visit at least 10 dealers.
6. Visit the dealers ASAP, after you expect that they had a consignment from Rolex.
7. If no luck, repeat next time a shipment from Rolex is expected.


If this has not worked for a few months, revert to plan B:

1. Find a big dealer who is likely to receive the watch you want from time to time.
2. Negotiate with him by making him promise to put your first on his list for the watch you want, by buying a gold or platinum piece that is not very popular, or a selection of pieces that he is having trouble selling. (This will of course be quite expensive...)
3. Buy the watch you want when it finally becomes available.


Plan C:

1. For a premium, buy the watch you want on the gray market.


As much as I hate to say it, then Plan C seems to be the easiest and cheapest option by far. I wish that was not the case, but we have to be realistic.

As far as I am concerned Rolex makes truly outstanding and desirable watches and the state of the market proves it.

[lenfried29]

Originally Posted by Seibei

Buying an SS Rolex takes thought, research, time and effort. Simply calling dealers will not cut it, not even close. There are plans that may bring results.

Plan A:

1. Map out the greatest concentration of dealers in your country.
2. Visit them, become friendly with staff, you may wish to bring small gifts such as wine or chocolates.
3. Find out when they normally receive shipments from Rolex.
4. Find a car that has good fuel economy and can reliably transport you.
5. Plot the most economic route that will take you to all the dealers in your general vicinity. Plan to visit at least 10 dealers.
6. Visit the dealers ASAP, after you expect that they had a consignment from Rolex.
7. If no luck, repeat next time a shipment from Rolex is expected.


If this has not worked for a few months, revert to plan B:

1. Find a big dealer who is likely to receive the watch you want from time to time.
2. Negotiate with him by making him promise to put your first on his list for the watch you want, by buying a gold or platinum piece that is not very popular, or a selection of pieces that he is having trouble selling. (This will of course be quite expensive...)
3. Buy the watch you want when it finally becomes available.


Plan C:

1. For a premium, buy the watch you want on the gray market.


As much as I hate to say it, then Plan C seems to be the easiest and cheapest option by far. I wish that was not the case, but we have to be realistic.

As far as I am concerned Rolex makes truly outstanding and desirable watches and the state of the market proves it.

It seems to me we can skip to PlanC right away because PlanA and PlanB will cost even more at the end and that if you find the watch.

[AK797]

Small towns in Italy, Spain and Portugal.

[Olliepem]

What about North of the border in Scotland? Forget about Edinburgh or Glasgow but I got mine within a couple month from St. Andrews and that included missing out on one after missing the voicemail they left me.

[Seibei]

Originally Posted by AK797

Small towns in Italy, Spain and Portugal.

Great idea! How much is it to hire a helicopter to take you around those?

[Terrakot]

Originally Posted by Seibei

Great idea! How much is it to hire a helicopter to take you around those?

Well, near Rome you can visit AD’s in Latina, Perugia and Viterbo. I saw black Sub in AD’s window very often
BTW, I bought my BLNR in Tenerife month ago after 21 days of waiting with 100% deposit